LAS VEGAS (KSNV MyNews3.com) — Nevada Assemblywoman Peggy Pierce has died at 59 after a battle with cancer.

A Democrat, Pierce was elected to five terms from the 3rd District.

Born in 1954 in Milton, Mass., just south of Boston, Pierce came to Las Vegas in 1988 from San Francisco, where she had worked 16 years in the food industry.

After working at the Desert Inn until its closing in 2000, Pierce worked for the Culinary Union as community liaison until 2005. She then took a job as resources coordinator for the United Labor Agency of Nevada.

Funeral services are pending.

Reactions

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval

“I was saddened this morning to learn of the passing of Peggy Pierce. A longtime advocate for the people of Nevada, I admired Peggy’s tenacity and commitment to those she represented and she will be missed. Kathleen and I extend our thoughts and prayers to Peggy’s family and friends.”

Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick

"We are deeply saddened by the news that Assemblywoman Peggy Pierce passed away earlier this morning. Peggy was more than just a colleague, she was my friend, and she will be missed by everyone in our Caucus and by her constituents whom she served so well. Peggy's inimitable voice will ring through the legislature for sessions to come. There was no one who cared more, or fought harder, on behalf of all Nevadans when it came to speaking truth to power."

U.S. Sen. Harry Reid

“This is very sad news for Nevada. Peggy was a fighter for everyone who needed one. She will be remembered for her work on workers’ rights; her steadfast efforts to improve air quality in Clark County; and her extensive advocacy on environmental issues. She will be deeply missed, and I send my condolences to her colleagues and her family.”

Rep. Steven Horsfored

Representative Steven Horsford (NV-4) took to the floor of the House this afternoon to honor Assemblywoman Peggy Pierce. His remarks are below:

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I come to the floor today saddened by the news that Nevada Assemblywoman Peggy Pierce has passed away.

“She was the staunch liberal conscience of the Nevada State Legislature, but she commanded respect from both sides of the aisle because of her steadfast belief in her principles, because she was a hard worker, and because she cared so deeply about the well-being of her constituents and the people of Nevada.

“I first met Peggy before her time in the Assembly as a fellow organizer helping to coordinate rapid response for displaced workers in Las Vegas after the tragic events of September 11th.

She was as committed to helping others then as she was in her tenure at the Nevada Legislature.

“She succumbed to cancer, but she did not lose the fight. She put her constituents before herself, and in that sense, she has always been a true public servant.

“My thoughts and prayers are with her family. You will truly be missed, my friend.